LIVE: THE JIM IRSAY COLLECTION – September 9, 2022

Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium

City: Indianapolis, IN

Dates: September 9, 2022

Review and Photographs by: Jeffrey Everett (http://www.jeffrey-everett.com/)

Lucas Oil Stadium opened its doors to the public in order to kickoff football season with a free display of the Jim Irsay Collection. Irsay, the Colt’s owner has a world-renowned collection including a diverse array of artifacts from music, sports, pop culture, and American history. Indy was 8^th stop on the US tour with plans to head to Europe next year. The museum-like experience was highlighted by what is considered the greatest guitar collection ever assembled. It includes guitars used by Prince, Jerry Garcia, John Lennon, George Harrison, David Gilmour, Kurt Cobain, Jimmy Page and Janis Joplin just to a mention a few. There were original hand-written lyrics by Dylan, Lennon, and McCartney. There were pianos used by Elton John and the Beatles.  Next up were original letters by George Washington, Samuel Adams, and Ernest Hemingway. Harry Truman’s top hat, Abe Lincolns pocket-knife and JFK’s rocking chair were also on display. Sports memorabilia included Ali’s robe and title belt, Jackie Robinson’s bat, early football gear dating back to 1895, as well as a large collection of Colt’s history. In total over 80 pieces were on display throughout the stadium. The breathtaking collection has been estimated to be worth well north of 100 million dollars. The event was topped off with a performance by the Jim Irsay band, a star-studded collaboration of music icons including Mike Mills, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Kenny Aronoff. Special guests for tonight included Indiana native John Hiatt, Heart’s Ann Wilson, guitar legend Buddy Guy and John Mellencamp. Prior to the show, Irsay met with media and discussed his goal of integrating a world class museum with a world class show. Fans entered early for the open access event. The stadium floor as well as first two levels were packed with thousands of fans by showtime. Jim Irsay took a seat on stage and got the evening going with his rendition of “Lawyers, Guns and Money.” Mike Mills played “Don’t Go Back to Rockville” from his heyday in REM. Blues icon Buddy guy came on stage to a thunderous applause. At 86 years young he looked great and still plays a wicked guitar. After his songs, he made way for John Hiatt who played a cover of Traffic’s “Feelin’ Alright?” followed by 3 of his own tunes. Ann Wilson did her rendition of Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll,” “Immigrant Song,” and “Stairway to Heaven.” Her vocals are simply breathtaking and one the show’s highlights. Irsay returned to the stage and announced a special event. From his collection, David Gilmour’s black strat was brought on stage by a curator with white gloves who gave it to Kenny Wayne Shepherd to play Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb” as green lasers pulsed across the stage. John Mellencamp wrapped up the night with “Pink Houses” and “Jack Diane.” The Jim Irsay Collection was something to behold and the concert was every bit of a spectacle. It was a fantastic way to kickoff football season and an incredible gift by Colts owner Jim Irsay!

Setlist: Lawyers, Guns and Money (Warren Zevon cover lead vocals by Jim Irsay) – Born on the Bayou (Creedence Clearwater Revival cover lead vocals by Jim Irsay) – Don’t Go Back to Rockville (R.E.M. cover lead vocals by Mike Mills) – Superman (The Clique cover lead vocals by Mike Mills) – You’re No Good (Dee Dee Warwick cover lead vocals Carmella Ramsey) – Damn Right, I’ve Got the Blues (Buddy Guy) – I Can’t Hold Out (Eric Clapton cover with Buddy Guy and Kenny Wayne Shepherd) – Down for Love (Kenny Wayne Shepherd cover with Buddy Guy and Kenny Wayne Shepherd) – How Blue Can You Get? (Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers cover with Buddy Guy) – Call Me the Breeze (J.J. Cale cover lead vocals by Kenny Wayne Shepherd) – Feelin’ Alright? (Traffic cover lead vocals John Hiatt) – Real Fine Love (John Hiatt) – Paper Thin (John Hiatt) – Perfectly Good Guitar (John Hiatt) – Hurt (Nine Inch Nails cover lead vocals by Jim Irsay) – Rock and Roll (Led Zeppelin cover lead vocals Ann Wilson) – Immigrant Song (Led Zeppelin cover lead vocals Ann Wilson) – Into the Mystic (Van Morrison cover lead vocals Ann Wilson) – Stairway to Heaven (Led Zeppelin cover lead vocals Ann Wilson) – Comfortably Numb (Pink Floyd cover lead vocals by Jim Irsay) – Gimme Shelter (The Rolling Stones cover lead vocals Ann Wilson and Jim Irsay) – Pink Houses (John Mellencamp) – Jack & Diane (John Mellencamp)

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Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries